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Level 1

10 points

Display Problem on MacBook Pro 13-In: red blotch when screen is dark/black

I've been having a really weird problem: a red blotch near the center of my screen, visible if the screen is black, or dark background in video playback. It's about an inch off center (right) and it look like a "T" made by a paint brush stroke. When it first appeared (in the same spot to the left of center), Apple replaced the display (in the last year of Apple Care), and it disappeared. It reappeared 4 weeks later as clear lines (in the same spot). They replaced the display again, and it disappeared once again. It happened a third time 4 months after that, and they replaced the logic board as well as the display; again, "fixed." Here's the weirdest part: because, after all this, the computer would not charge, they threw up their hands and gave me a brand new MacBook Pro. That was a month ago, and last night, there was the red blotch again (except now, again, just to the right of center).

I can't find anything like this (online) happening to anyone else, and so far Apple hasn't determined what they think the problem is. I sort of feel now the problem must lie with me. But what could I be doing? I haven't dropped it; I'm just using it for email and reading online.

Anyone have any idea what this might be? Thank you very much in advance for any suggestions.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jul 30, 2012 5:44 PM

36 replies

grattman

Level 1

8 points

May 2, 2013 3:46 PM in response to Hystoryan

Yeah I understand that feeling!

I wouldn't say mine way a T-shape as such - theres some pictures on a thread I made just before I found this, here:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5011367?answerId=21926718022#21926718022

Cheers!

Hystoryan Author

Level 1

10 points

May 2, 2013 3:50 PM in response to grattman

Sounds precisely like my son's problem, though his blotch(es) = clear (I've had that, too -- in fact, clear, blue, and red). I don't see any photos at that link, though.

Hystoryan Author

Level 1

10 points

May 2, 2013 3:52 PM in response to Hystoryan

Also, there is a posting somewhere (I have to go look for it -- on one of these forums) with a photo that replicated my problem precisely -- same spot, same shape, same size. His was posted in summer 2011, I believe (so, this kind of thing has been going on for a long time). I responded, but never heard from him.

grattman

Level 1

8 points

May 2, 2013 3:54 PM in response to Hystoryan

Huh, weird, they're showing up for me.

Here's the links to the images instead:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/247375040

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/247376040

How bad is your sons? Has he returned/had it replaced yet at all?

Hystoryan Author

Level 1

10 points

May 2, 2013 3:58 PM in response to grattman

Yup. That's it. I found that image a guy posted in (Apr.) 2011 -- same thing!

discoloration 2010 MacBook Pro 13" display - MacRumors Forums

Hystoryan Author

Level 1

10 points

May 2, 2013 4:01 PM in response to Hystoryan

So, that makes at least four of us -- different parts of the US (and the world?) -- all with the same problem, 2011-13, all with the same Mac. Interesting that my Apple people claimed to have no knowledge of the problem AT ALL. They were totally stumped.

grattman

Level 1

8 points

May 2, 2013 4:12 PM in response to Hystoryan

Yeah looks identical, just a different colour.

I'm in the UK and the Macbook was purchased autumn 2010 - luckily it has a 3 year warranty!

It's comforting (sort of) to know other people have the same issue as if Apple try and shirk out of replacing the screen by claiming it was caused through me applying pressure or some other reason then I can point out other identical occurences!

I was half hoping it would be some bizarre re-calibration issue or something small like that, but I guess not. I'll get in touch with Apple and see what they have to say!

grattman

Level 1

8 points

May 2, 2013 4:17 PM in response to Hystoryan

Also, I've just measured it and the curves in the blotch that lead down from the main horizontal line match up perfectly with the apple logo on the outside of the screen.

It seems too perfect to be coincidence - I recon what they told you about the apple logo pressure may well be correct.

Hystoryan Author

Level 1

10 points

May 2, 2013 4:22 PM in response to grattman

That's interesting. If true, though, the real question is whether you and I (and my son, and that guy from 2011) are doing it by putting some kind of pressure on the outside of the machine at its center (i.e., the Apple) -- or is it, as my son suspects, some kind of design defect in the MacBook itself. Remember that, for you, me, for my son, it's not noticeable under "normal" circumstances. It's just with that black background.

grattman

Level 1

8 points

May 2, 2013 4:35 PM in response to Hystoryan

Yeah I suppose. I can't see any circumstance where I would be applying pressure to the logo though. My hands are pretty small, so when I pick the laptop up my fingers don't really come anywhere close to touching it.
The entire display was replaced this time last year for a separate issue relating to the hinge, so it's not even 'that' old.

Anyway, I'll call up, see what they have to say and let you know if they have any more ideas! Probably just a screen replacement, though with the amount of problems I've had with it since I've bought it I will try my luck and push for an upgrade to a Pro! 😁

Hystoryan Author

Level 1

10 points

May 2, 2013 4:53 PM in response to grattman

Definitely let me know. It'll be interesting to see what they say, given that you have evidence of those people having the same problem (an advantage I didn't have).

Nov 15, 2013 9:46 PM in response to Hystoryan

Hey!

I'm from Portugal and I'm having exactly the same problem. My computer is a MacBook Pro 15 Early 2011, so it's not covered by guarantee anymore.

Does someone has more information about this topic?

Thank you!

Hystoryan Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 15, 2013 10:00 PM in response to inesmsantos

I can report that since February (see above), the problem has not recurred (the head genius at my local store theorized that it was pressure on the cover (hence, the screen), and gave me a "shell"). As I think I might have said on the string above, my son suggested it might be some kind of pressure of the base against the lid, but I think that genius might have been right (it's been nearly ten months, and no problems -- I was plagued with it, with several Macs, over a two year period; they replaced the screen, the top half, the hard drive, and the whole thing, more than once -- and it always came back...until the shell). That's all I know. Do you carry your around a lot, have you dropped it, etc.?

Sounds like you didn't get Apple Care (if it's out of warranty now), which is too bad. I had that, and they gave me a new one one month under three years.

Nov 23, 2013 12:48 PM in response to Hystoryan

Thank you so much for your reply, it was really useful.

Actually I do carry it around a lot, but always in a case specific for this type of computer. It felt once, more than a year and a half ago, but I've been seeing the problem only in the past few months. So I don't know if it's indeed a reasonable explanation for that... Since my warranty is now expired I guess I have to accept the situation which is too bad since one of the reasons that lead me to buy a Mac was its supposed quality and durability.

Thanks once again!

Hystoryan Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 23, 2013 1:32 PM in response to inesmsantos

It is too bad. Can you take it in and get an assessment without paying anything? You should be able to, and it would be instructive to see if they have an explanation -- i.e., has Apple figured this out? It's obviously a structural problem with the MacBook that people across time and space have experienced.

Display Problem on MacBook Pro 13-In: red blotch when screen is dark/black